Race fans have a chance to see NASCAR Cup drivers take on Phoenix International Raceway’s newly
Team member of the No. 27 race team studies data after a test run at the newly repaved Daytona International Speedway. Photo credit: Sandi Goodall for Racingal.com
repaved and reconfigured 1-mile oval during their first Sprint Cup Series test session at PIR on Tuesday, October 4. Gates will open at 8 a.m.
Phoenix International Raceway’s free fan event during the October 4 test will offer general admission seating in the Bryan Grandstand and infield viewing for patrons to take in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series garage activities. In addition, Sprint Cup Series star Kyle Busch – driver of the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota – will participate in a moderated fan Q&A session during the October 4 event. Fans may submit their questions for Busch at Facebook.com/PhoenixRaceway.
PIR’s Fan Experience team will be in the grandstands throughout the day giving away gifts and prizes, while concession stands offering a variety of food and beverage will be open at various locations throughout the track. Fans will also have the opportunity to take tram tours of the Raceway’s perimeter and the PIR Track Ticket Office will be open for fans to purchase tickets to the November 10-13 Kobalt Tools 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event weekend.
This was the 47-year old NASCAR facility’s first major track paving project since 1990. Construction began in March with the removal of the facility’s former racing surface and the subsequent installation of a new surface is in progress, with a series of changes designed to promote side-by-side racing. While maintaining the integrity of PIR’s oval – including the 1-mile distance – the slight configuration changes will produce a racier track with average speeds that are expected to increase two to three miles per hour. The project is slated to conclude in September and the October 4 testing session will be the first public event for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers at the new PIR.
Changes made were:
- Widen the front stretch from 52 to 62 feet
- Reconfigure pit road with the installation of concrete pit stalls
- Push the dog-leg curve between Turn 2 and Turn 3 out 95 feet
- Tighten the turn radius of the dog-leg from 800 to 500 feet
- Implement variable banking to ensure the immediate use of two racing grooves, including 10-11 degree banking between Turn 1 and Turn 2; 10-11 degree banking in the apex of the dog-leg; and 8-9 degree banking in Turn 4.
This fan event and the public test session will run until 5 p.m.
PIR Press Release